GENERAL INFORMATION

The Interdisciplinary Research Collaborative (IRC) is funded in 2011 largely by a grant from Edwards Lifesciences. The primary purpose of the IRC is to enhance the education of Rose-Hulman undergraduate students by supporting research experiences and ancillary activities.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The primary goal of the IRC Summer Research Experience (SRE) is to provide Rose-Hulman undergraduate students an opportunity to build interdisciplinary research, teamwork and communication skills. Another objective is to increase student's motivation to pursue graduate studies. The SRE will be conducted during the 10-week period between June 6 and August 19, 2011. The core of the experience is participation in a vigorous laboratory research program. The 2011 SRE will be supervised by Drs. Scott McClellan (Chemical Engineering) and Mark Brandt (Chemistry & Biochemistry), with research opportunities available in several different laboratories at Rose-Hulman.

The following faculty are willing to work with students this summer. If you are interested in a research project with one or more of these professors, please contact them to discuss possible projects. We will be posting project outlines shortly.

Throughout the ten-week period, students will also participate in weekly meetings and ancillary activities sponsored by the IRC. These activities will include collaborating with other SRE students to investigate cutting-edge research, preparing brief presentations for IRC meetings, and submitting a short paper detailing their research progress. Students are also expected to present the results of their research efforts at the Annual IRC Undergraduate Research Symposium in the fall of the 2011-12 academic year.

ELIGIBILITY AND APPLICATION

All Rose-Hulman undergraduate students who are interested in performing research at Rose-Hulman and who are not expecting to graduate in May 2011 are encouraged to apply. Selection of participants is based on the completed application form and attachments, with previous research experience working with your proposed research mentor (including during the Spring quarter of 2010-2011) being a major criterion. Application materials must be submitted via campus mail (CM148) or in person to Brenda Mardis in the ABBE office (Room D229) no later than 5:00 PM on Friday, February 18, 2011.

FUNDING

Funding includes a stipend and on-campus housing for the 10-week period. Students may elect to purchase a meal-plan from ARA food services or shop off-campus.